A 10 night transformational journey, daily yoga, massage and deep soul nourishment
Immerse into India's ancient & cultural traditions for a rejuvenating reset
in beautiful Kerala, South India
Namaste & Welcome to India
As many of you know, India is my second home - the culture, the spirit, the wisdom of yoga and its traditions hold a strong place in my heart and daily life. For more than 24 years, I've explored, studied and lived ashram life in both north and south India for extended periods of time. For a long time, you've been asking for me to organise a retreat in India and finally, here we are - the first of many to come... starting in Kerala, the land of smiles, coconuts, sunshine and home to the wonderful healing sciences of Yoga & Ayurveda. Our retreat goes beyond being a getaway; it's an exploration and deep dive into the rich tapestry of Yoga, embracing its ancient healing practices and rich cultural traditions, leaving you feeling energised, inspired in your practice and with a restored sense of balance & deep soul nourishment.
I'm so excited to share this journey with all of you in beautiful Kerala and I'm so delighted that my dear friend Rohit has recently joined the team and will be co-teaching the retreat with me and sharing his many years of rich experience. Lila x
I'm so excited to share this journey with all of you in beautiful Kerala and I'm so delighted that my dear friend Rohit has recently joined the team and will be co-teaching the retreat with me and sharing his many years of rich experience. Lila x
Ayurveda Cherai, Kerala
The retreat centre is set overlooking Cherai's tranquil backwaters with lush greenery, silent fishing boats, an array of birds and enchanting sunsets. It offers the ideal blend between the backwaters and the sea, with the long natural beach of Cherai just a short walk away. Cherai beach is one of the longest beaches situated on Vypin Island. Vypin forms a barrier island which lies between the Arabian Sea and the Cochin backwaters/Periyar river.
(This is a relatively unspoilt gem of Kerala, with some local resorts and tourists but not too many! A perfect haven for our retreat.
Shibu and Akhilesh are our wonderful co-hosts at the lovely Ayurveda Cherai. Nothing is too much for them, they are shining examples of yogis in service, offering true Kerala hospitality to everyone.
(This is a relatively unspoilt gem of Kerala, with some local resorts and tourists but not too many! A perfect haven for our retreat.
Shibu and Akhilesh are our wonderful co-hosts at the lovely Ayurveda Cherai. Nothing is too much for them, they are shining examples of yogis in service, offering true Kerala hospitality to everyone.
Your Retreat Programme
Daily Yoga, Ayurvedic Massage, Meditation, Kirtan,
Pure Ayurvedic Vegetarian Delicious local food, fresh coconut water, trips out and more!
30th January is arrival and landing day. Transfers from Cochin airport will be arranged for you to/from Cherai.
Once you arrive at the retreat, you can rest, settle into your room and arrive into your new home for the next 10 nights.
If your flight time allows, you can unwind from jet lag with your first massage on the arrival day (for daytime arrivals).
There will be a group welcome dinner in the evening (for late arrivals we can save you a plate!)
31st Jan to 8th Feb - yoga sadhana, meditation, kirtan, ceremony, daily massages, outings & cultural programmes
Lila's style and background of teaching can be found here
The first morning, 31st January, there will be a traditional Vedic Fire Ceremony and Mantra Meditation to inaugurate our retreat,
set intentions and focus minds and hearts for our sadhana and retreat journey.
*Example of Retreat Schedule
6.30am - Sunrise Mantra Meditation chanting/kirtan or silent beach walk/sunrise boat ride/cleansing & breath work (optional)
7.30am - Hatha Yoga & Pranayama
9.00am - Breakfast
10.00am - Massage or free time
1.00pm - Lunch
2.00pm - Massage or free time/trip out
*5.30pm - 7.00pm - Yin Yoga/Restorative/Gentle & Sunset Meditation/Relaxation
(*there will be no afternoon sessions when we have cultural programmes or trips out)
7.30pm - Dinner (there will be the occasional dinner outside of the retreat venue)
(*The retreat schedule is an example and subject to slight change. There is no yoga/meditation on arrival & departure days)
AYURVEDIC MASSAGE
Massage treatments for 10 days - all included in your retreat!!
Following your individual consultation with the Ayurvedic doctor, massage & Ayurvedic treatments (minimum one hour)
plus herbal supplements will be prescribed for your body type and needs
. Ayurvedic Abhyanga Massage - full body massage using natural herbal oils plus other Ayurvedic treatments will be applied according to your individual body type and needs
A nourishing self care treat and rejuvenation for body & mind!
Between classes, meals and your massage, there will be free time to explore, swim or simply relax with a book in one of the hammocks!
Once you arrive at the retreat, you can rest, settle into your room and arrive into your new home for the next 10 nights.
If your flight time allows, you can unwind from jet lag with your first massage on the arrival day (for daytime arrivals).
There will be a group welcome dinner in the evening (for late arrivals we can save you a plate!)
31st Jan to 8th Feb - yoga sadhana, meditation, kirtan, ceremony, daily massages, outings & cultural programmes
Lila's style and background of teaching can be found here
The first morning, 31st January, there will be a traditional Vedic Fire Ceremony and Mantra Meditation to inaugurate our retreat,
set intentions and focus minds and hearts for our sadhana and retreat journey.
*Example of Retreat Schedule
6.30am - Sunrise Mantra Meditation chanting/kirtan or silent beach walk/sunrise boat ride/cleansing & breath work (optional)
7.30am - Hatha Yoga & Pranayama
9.00am - Breakfast
10.00am - Massage or free time
1.00pm - Lunch
2.00pm - Massage or free time/trip out
*5.30pm - 7.00pm - Yin Yoga/Restorative/Gentle & Sunset Meditation/Relaxation
(*there will be no afternoon sessions when we have cultural programmes or trips out)
7.30pm - Dinner (there will be the occasional dinner outside of the retreat venue)
(*The retreat schedule is an example and subject to slight change. There is no yoga/meditation on arrival & departure days)
AYURVEDIC MASSAGE
Massage treatments for 10 days - all included in your retreat!!
Following your individual consultation with the Ayurvedic doctor, massage & Ayurvedic treatments (minimum one hour)
plus herbal supplements will be prescribed for your body type and needs
. Ayurvedic Abhyanga Massage - full body massage using natural herbal oils plus other Ayurvedic treatments will be applied according to your individual body type and needs
A nourishing self care treat and rejuvenation for body & mind!
Between classes, meals and your massage, there will be free time to explore, swim or simply relax with a book in one of the hammocks!
Your Retreat Team
Shibu & Akhilesh - Our Retreat Hosts
Introducing these two amazing souls, Shibu & Akhilesh, our retreat hosts at Ayurveda Cherai in Kerala. Shibu creates magical retreat experiences for all of our guests and groups. He is an Ayurvedic practitioner, coach, yoga teacher and Kalari (Kerala martial art) practitioner. Nothing is too much trouble for Shibu, he organises absolutely everything with grace and ease and he is just a great guy! Akhilesh is also a very special pranic healer, a yoga teacher and a gentle soul who when he is not with us in Cherai, travels around the world helping others with his healing treatments.
Lila Conway
Lila is passionate about sharing the incredible path of yoga and and has been teaching and training teachers for more than 23 years. Lila's classes are held with experience in a strong yet heart centred and supportive way. Lila's retreats are always a truly deep and inspirational journey. This retreat is especially focusing on restoration and rejuvenation on all levels. Classes are carefully planned for all levels of practitioner. During our Kerala retreat experience, morning classes are gentle nourishing Hatha, with held postures and flowing sequences too. The afternoon practice is usually Yin yoga/restorative or Yoga Nidra. Lila also offers kirtan, japa and chanting meditation plus a taste of yoga philosophy throughout the retreat as various threads of yoga are weaved together to form a beautiful retreat experience. Lila has been holding retreats and taking care of her yoga students in a held retreat experience since 2002.
Rohit Yadhav
Rohit is an expert in the mind-body relationship and one of Delhi’s most popular yoga teachers for students of all levels. Rohit’s classes offer a breath-centered flow Yoga practice that fully integrates postures with meditative practices, relaxation, and mindfulness techniques. His teaching style brings together influences from traditional Yoga Therapy, Patanjalis Philosophy and Sports Medicine and science. The aim of each practice he teaches is not to mechanically perfect yoga poses, but to use the poses and other yogic practices to explore personal strength, compassion and inner wisdom. Besides his long-running advanced Hatha classes at the Sivananda Centres & reputed private Yoga centres in Delhi, Rohit has been teaching senior Diplomats and International Ambassadors in the city. Rohit also taught various yoga retreats and workshops in France, Spain,Germany & Switzerland. With over 18 years of experience in teaching classical Hatha Yoga & Vedic Chanting, he has been lead Hatha Yoga teacher in International Teacher Training Courses, also teaching and mentoring students from the University of Birmingham’s UKIERY study India programme, staff of the British Council Delhi & Children of the Ashish Foundation (School for children with Autism). He is a teacher’s teacher in the best traditional sense. Rohit has a strong grounding in his practise through Advance Teacher certification from the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams, Hatha Yoga training through the Jawaharlal University-Delhi, Diploma of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine- Delhi University, Masters in Yoga from Jain Vishva Bharti,YogaTeachers training certification from the Krisnamacarya Yoga Mandiram- Chennai,Yoga Therapy teachers training course from Yogavahini, Chennai in Krishnamacharya tradition. Additionally Rohit has had the honor to train under wonderful senior teachers in the Iyengar & Viniyoga traditions in India.
Accommodation & meals
The retreat is set in lovely green gardens with lush greenery and views of the backwaters. The sea is just a short walk away and there is also a small pool available for use at a neighbouring hotel. The yoga shala is on the first floor, covered but with open sides, giving a lovely green backdrop and flow of fresh air. Yoga mats and blocks are provided.
Rooms are clean, comfortable and lovely. There is a choice of accommodation between standard Heritage style wooden Kerala rooms, Premium rooms (larger with private balcony) and Garden cottages with private seating area. All rooms have garden view, some with backwaters view too.
See booking below for more info.
Rooms are clean, comfortable and lovely. There is a choice of accommodation between standard Heritage style wooden Kerala rooms, Premium rooms (larger with private balcony) and Garden cottages with private seating area. All rooms have garden view, some with backwaters view too.
See booking below for more info.
All meals are blessed, prepared with love and are local Kerala style, fresh, Ayurvedic and pure vegetarian.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included along with herbal teas and a daily fresh coconut water.
Please note this is a retreat, for rejuvenation on all levels. In order to maintain the purity of the retreat, alcohol is not permitted.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included along with herbal teas and a daily fresh coconut water.
Please note this is a retreat, for rejuvenation on all levels. In order to maintain the purity of the retreat, alcohol is not permitted.
Yoga & Ayurveda Retreat, Kerala - 30 Jan - 9 Feb 2025
Retreat Booking & Costs Once you arrive, you have very little to pay for.
The retreat, massage treatments, trips out, transfers, food are included (please see "what's included") Prices are for the retreat and vary according to the room of your choice. For solo travellers, shared twin rooms are available, (female and male separate) Prices shown are per person. Standard Heritage Kerala Wooden Room (places available) Twin or Double, A/C, shared patio, ensuite Shared - £1511 Single occupancy - £1711 Garden Cottage (places available) Double, Fan, private patio, ensuite Shared - £1611 Single occupancy - £1811 Premium 1st Floor Room (FULLY BOOKED) Larger room, Twin or Double, private balcony view of backwaters, A/C, ensuite (only 1 room available Shared - £1699 Single Occupancy - £1899 Premium Ground Floor Room (FULLY BOOKED) Larger room, Twin or Double, private balcony view of backwaters, A/C, ensuite (only 1 room available) Shared - £1599 Single Occupancy - £1799 |
What's includedWhatsApp group chat & connect before travel Advice re flights & travel Transfers to/from Cochin Airport to/from Cherai 10 nights accommodation 3 x daily Vegetarian Meals Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation, Sunrise Walk/Boating, Ceremonies/Classes Personal consultation with Ayurvedic Doctor 10 x Ayurvedic Massages - 1 per day for 10 days (or 9 days/massages if you arrive late on arrival day) Herbal supplements during the retreat A few trips out in the local area, including Fort Cochin Cultural Programmes e.g. local traditions, martial arts, dance Additional Cost/Not included: Tourist Visa for India Travel Insurance Flights - International or Domestic Transfers from any airport other than Cochin Extra excursions Additional meals/drinks outside of retreat programme Additional Massages or treatments Herbal supplements once retreat is finished Pranic Healing with Akhilash Tips |
Booking
A £500 non-refundable deposit is required on booking and the balance/full payment is due 12 weeks before the retreat start date. Or you are welcome to pay in full. It is also possible to pay in instalments on request.
At the time of booking the retreat, please take out valid travel insurance to cover India and any activities you have planned.
Prices are quoted at the current exchange rate and will be adjusted if the rate changes considerably.
Check-out is by 11am on departure day, 9th February.
Please read our Retreat Terms & Conditions before booking
At the time of booking the retreat, please take out valid travel insurance to cover India and any activities you have planned.
Prices are quoted at the current exchange rate and will be adjusted if the rate changes considerably.
Check-out is by 11am on departure day, 9th February.
Please read our Retreat Terms & Conditions before booking